Formal surveys
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Formal Survey
What are they?
Formal surveys can be used to collect standardized information from a carefully
selected sample of people or households. Surveys often collect comparable information
for a relatively large number of people in particular target groups.
What can we use them for?
- Providing baseline data against which the performance of the strategy, program, or
project can be compared.
- Comparing different groups at a given point in time.
- Comparing changes over time in the same group.
- Comparing actual conditions with the targets established in a program or project design.
- Describing conditions in a particular community or group.
- Providing a key input to a formal evaluation of the impact of a program or project.
- Assessing levels of poverty as basis for preparation of poverty reduction strategies.
ADVANTAGES:
- Findings from the sample of people interviewed can be applied to the wider target
group or the population as a whole.
- Quantitative estimates can be made for the size and distribution of impacts.
DISADVANTAGES:
- With the exception of CWIQ, results are often not available for a long period of
time.
- The processing and analysis of data can be a major bottleneck for the larger surveys
even where computers are available.
- LSMS and household surveys are expensive and time-consuming.
- Many kinds of information are difficult to obtain through formal interviews.
COST:
Ranges from roughly $30–60 per household for the CWIQ to $170 per household for
the LSMS. Costs will be significantly higher if there is no master sampling frame for
the country.
SKILLS REQUIRED:
Sound technical and analytical skills for sample and questionnaire design, data analysis,
and processing.
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